System and method for controlling water flow in a food waste handling system
First Claim
1. A control system for controlling water flow into a food waste handling system, the control system comprising:
- a presence sensor for determining a physical presence of an operator in close proximity with the food waste handling system;
a timer for measuring a pre-established time period;
a first flow control device for providing a first flow of water into the food waste handling system in response to the presence sensor determining the physical presence of the operator and during the pre-established time period as measured by the timer following cessation of said determined physical presence of the operator; and
a second flow control device for providing a second flow of water into the food waste handling system in response to the presence sensor determining the physical presence of the operator, and for terminating said second flow of water approximately simultaneously with the cessation of said determined physical presence of the operator.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control system for minimizing overall water use in a food waste handling system while maximizing flow rate when needed by controlling a flow of water into the handling system based on or in response to a physical presence of an operator. The control system substantially automatically senses, detects, or otherwise determines the presence of the operator, wherein such presence is assumptively associated with use of the waste handling system (i.e., the deposition of waste thereinto), and, in response to said presence, automatically controls the flow of water accordingly and for a pre-established period of time following cessation of said presence in order to facilitate the on-going handling process.
27 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A control system for controlling water flow into a food waste handling system, the control system comprising:
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a presence sensor for determining a physical presence of an operator in close proximity with the food waste handling system; a timer for measuring a pre-established time period; a first flow control device for providing a first flow of water into the food waste handling system in response to the presence sensor determining the physical presence of the operator and during the pre-established time period as measured by the timer following cessation of said determined physical presence of the operator; and a second flow control device for providing a second flow of water into the food waste handling system in response to the presence sensor determining the physical presence of the operator, and for terminating said second flow of water approximately simultaneously with the cessation of said determined physical presence of the operator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A food waste handling system comprising:
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a basin; a processing device connected to the basin for receiving and processing food waste; and a control system for controlling water flow into the food waste handling system, the control system including— a presence sensor for determining a physical presence of an operator in close proximity with the food waste handling system; a timer for measuring a pre-established time period, a first flow control device for providing a first flow of water into the food waste handling system in response to the presence sensor determining the physical presence of the operator and during the pre-established time period as measured by the timer following cessation of said determined physical presence of the operator, and a second flow control device for providing a second flow of water into the food waste handling system in response to the presence sensor determining the physical presence of the operator, and for terminating said second flow of water approximately simultaneously with the cessation of said determined physical presence of the operator. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A control system for controlling water flow into a food waste handling system, the control system comprising:
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a sensor for detecting an operator in close proximity with the food waste handling system; a timer for measuring a pre-established time period following cessation of the operator being detected by the sensor; means for; (a) providing a first flow of water into the food waste handling system while the sensor detects the operator; (b) providing the first flow of water into the food waste handling system during the measured pre-established time period; and (c) terminating the first flow of water upon expiration of the measured pre-established time period; and means for; (a) providing a second flow of water into the food waste handling system while the sensor detects the operator; and (b) terminating the second flow of water when the sensor ceases detecting the operator, the first and second flows of water being terminated at different times. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A food waste handling system, comprising:
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a basin; a processing device accessible from the basin for receiving and processing food waste; and a control system for controlling water flow into the food waste handling system, the control system comprising; a sensor for detecting an operator in close proximity with the food waste handling system; a timer for measuring a pre-established time period following cessation of the operator being detected by the sensor; means for; (a) providing a first flow of water into the food waste handling system while the sensor detects the operator; (b) providing the first flow of water into the food waste handling system during the measured pre-established time period; and (c) terminating the first flow of water upon expiration of the measured pre-established time period; and means for; (a) providing a second flow of water into the food waste handling system while the sensor detects the operator; and (b) terminating the second flow of water when the sensor ceases detecting the operator, the first and second flows of water being terminated at different times. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification